Well, that was quite some Highland fling north of the border, wasn’t it?

The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony last night (BBC One, 8pm) was a great advertisement for whatever it is they put in that Irn Bru.

As a sort of Scot-lite myself, I was all set to feel embarrassed by the cultural implications of it all – Obi Wan Kenobi giving the games his blessing! Dancing Tunnock’s teacakes! John Barrowman affecting a frankly bizarre Balamory accent (he was born in Scotland, don’t you know)!

Really, to quote Simon Callow in Four Weddings and a Funeral, it was “bloody Brigadoon”, all kicking up the heels and tartan-swathed riot.

And in the midst of all the excitement, all of the fervour of Karen Dunbar – she’s Scotland’s Ruth Jones, or something like, you know – and all the stereotypes and cultural symbols you could think of was a massive step in the direction of equality for all of us.

In a blink-and-you-might-miss-it spot the middle of a dance celebrating the renowned marriage haven of Gretna Green – I did mention the stereotypes, right? – openly gay entertainer Barrowman kissed a male ‘bride’ at a mock wedding ceremony, while Dunbar hollered, "here's to equality in Scotland!"

Imagine, a man kissing a man. In front of the Queen, too.

Instantly ‘the gay kiss’ was all over social networks, and its placement was being hailed as a snub to homophobia in Commonwealth countries which criminalise homosexuality.

WATCH: John Barrowman's gay kiss at Glasgow 2014

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Video will play in

Share this video

Watch Next

The truth is, 42 out of 53 Commonwealth countries represented at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow actually criminalise homosexuality in some way.

If you stop to think about that, it’s actually shocking.

In a country where the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are being championed by those in power – from Deputy PM Nick Clegg down in London to First Minister Alex Salmond up in Edinburgh – it’s nothing big, is it?

The end of the world hasn’t come just because the UK has decided to make that acceptance of its fellow man.

But research from an Australian university this week put homosexuality as a crime in a staggering 89% of African countries; in Asia the figure is 100%, with the Americas at 85% and the Pacific 64%.

Lead researcher Dr Paula Gerber said: “Laws in many Commonwealth countries violate the basic human rights of the LGBTI community and in areas such as Asia and The Americas, the situation is only getting worse.

“Jamaica treats homosexuality in the same way as bestiality, Brunei has recently introduced death by stoning, and the Supreme Court in India has re-criminalised homosexuality.”

Craig Drummond tweeted: “It makes me strangely proud to be Scottish that John Barrowman can kiss a man on live tv” and Graham Love wrote: “Nice touch with this kiss there by John Barrowman. Taking aim at 42 of the 53 competing nations that criminalise homosexuality #Glasgow2014.”

The day had been building up to something of this sort, with Deputy PM Nick Clegg earlier calling for protection of LGBT rights around the globe – perhaps he’d had a sneaky peek at what was going to happen – and although it was but a brief second in the overall event, it made a lasting mark.